Reports noted that China is planning to cut down the strength of the PLA by nearly 7,00,000 within the next 2-3 years to enable the country to “modernise its military capabilities.” Presently, PLA strength is around 2.185 million, with the army alone accounting for 1.6 million. Besides, China’s reserves and paramilitary forces constitute a further 1.5 million. Between 1985 and 2003, China reduced PLA strength by 1.7 million.1

• 1. Trefor Moss, “PLA cuts manpower to modernize capabilities,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, October 9, 2009